recommend me a decent modelling knife
 

I can get from ebay, amazon etc here in the uk. I'm fed up using stanley ones not up to the job. Must have secure non-wobble fitment between blade and handle.

for general tasks. Thanks :)

google x-acto

Get yourself a proper Swann Morton scalpel

Get a scalpel then, I use a swann morton metal handle with a no.11 blade.

Axminster Power Tools
Www.aptc.co.uk (I THINK)
They do a swann moreton scalpel with retractable blade.
Much safer in your toolbox.

indeed they do thanks. I might go for that. cheers all I'd never heard of them before.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/page/find...scalpel&page=1

I use this same retractable version - it's great. I think it's 10A blades I use, make sure to get proper swann morten ones tho, I recently got some replicas off ebay and they don't quite fit 100%.

Cutting
 

Depends on the application, I use a scalpel for cutting, trimming ball studs, body shells etc but if you need to use pressure you will find that the blades snap so then you need a less sharp retractable blade.